TAPROOT THEATRE "Barefoot In The Park" by Neil Simon May 13 through June 20th. Review
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK
By Neil Simon
Directed by Karen Lund
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
Review: Friday 5/22/26 - 7:30pm Performance
Taproot Theatre is back with the Neil Simon classic Barefoot In The Park. While I was familiar with the show in very basic terms, I went into the performance with much to learn about the show.
With a cast of five actors, the show comes across like a sitcom from yesteryear. The tone is light, even in the second act when the marriage takes a turn, it’s still light drama compared to some of the other heavy hitting dramatic turns I’ve reviewed over the years. So, if you’re looking for entertainment that will not hit you over the head with dramatics, this is the show for you.
Everything is always a learning curve when it's a new venture. A new job. A new home. A new partner in life. The so-called honeymoon phase is explored here with Corie Bratter (played by Kate Anders at my performance) and Paul Bratter (played by Arjun Pande) as newlyweds adjusting to life together in a small apartment on the top of a tall brownstone in New York city.
Mother (played by Alexandra Tavares), Victor Velasco and Delivery Man (played by Mike Wu), and Telephone Repair Man (played by Brian Pucheu) round out the cast.
What stood out to me about this show was the well known sharp witty humor of Neil Simon. There were several moments during the show where the audience was laughing out loud, myself included. It was situational comedy with some extremely well done dialogue. And of course delivered with great skill by all of the actors involved.
Director Karen Lund handled the material with grace and veteran leadership, something that this material required. The story could have fallen into self parody of 1960’s New York living but it didn’t even come close to that. It was timely and the themes could happen to anyone, even in 2026.
While all of the cast was incredibly strong (and anyone that knows me knows I am firmly in the non-participation award camp so I don’t say that lightly), the performance of Alexandra Tavares as mother was one for the books. She made the audience laugh with a facial gesture, with a physical gesture, and/or with a delivery of a line that could not have been more perfect. She enhanced every scene she was in and that, again, is saying something considering how fantastic this entire cast was.
Barefoot In The Park is a great show for those that are regular Taproot Theatre attendees. It’s also a great show for the uninitiated, for those that are interested in theatre but just haven’t ventured out to Greenwood Avenue. This show will be a great example of what they’ve been missing and why they’ll want to return to Taproot Theatre.
Recommended!
”Barefoot in the Park’” is playing through June 20th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
By Neil Simon
Directed by Karen Lund
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
Review: Friday 5/22/26 - 7:30pm Performance
(From left: Arjun Pande as Paul Bratter, Ays Garcia as Corie Bratter, Mike Wu as Victor Velasco, and Alexandra Tavares as Mother in Taproot's production of Barefoot in the Park (May 2026).Photo Credit Giao Nguyen)
Taproot Theatre is back with the Neil Simon classic Barefoot In The Park. While I was familiar with the show in very basic terms, I went into the performance with much to learn about the show.
With a cast of five actors, the show comes across like a sitcom from yesteryear. The tone is light, even in the second act when the marriage takes a turn, it’s still light drama compared to some of the other heavy hitting dramatic turns I’ve reviewed over the years. So, if you’re looking for entertainment that will not hit you over the head with dramatics, this is the show for you.
Everything is always a learning curve when it's a new venture. A new job. A new home. A new partner in life. The so-called honeymoon phase is explored here with Corie Bratter (played by Kate Anders at my performance) and Paul Bratter (played by Arjun Pande) as newlyweds adjusting to life together in a small apartment on the top of a tall brownstone in New York city.
Mother (played by Alexandra Tavares), Victor Velasco and Delivery Man (played by Mike Wu), and Telephone Repair Man (played by Brian Pucheu) round out the cast.
(Arjun Pande as Paul Bratter and Alexandra Tavares as Mother in Taproot's production of Barefoot in the Park (May 2026). Photo by Giao Nguyen.)
What stood out to me about this show was the well known sharp witty humor of Neil Simon. There were several moments during the show where the audience was laughing out loud, myself included. It was situational comedy with some extremely well done dialogue. And of course delivered with great skill by all of the actors involved.
Director Karen Lund handled the material with grace and veteran leadership, something that this material required. The story could have fallen into self parody of 1960’s New York living but it didn’t even come close to that. It was timely and the themes could happen to anyone, even in 2026.
While all of the cast was incredibly strong (and anyone that knows me knows I am firmly in the non-participation award camp so I don’t say that lightly), the performance of Alexandra Tavares as mother was one for the books. She made the audience laugh with a facial gesture, with a physical gesture, and/or with a delivery of a line that could not have been more perfect. She enhanced every scene she was in and that, again, is saying something considering how fantastic this entire cast was.
Barefoot In The Park is a great show for those that are regular Taproot Theatre attendees. It’s also a great show for the uninitiated, for those that are interested in theatre but just haven’t ventured out to Greenwood Avenue. This show will be a great example of what they’ve been missing and why they’ll want to return to Taproot Theatre.
Recommended!
”Barefoot in the Park’” is playing through June 20th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
(Brian Pucheu as Telephone Repair Man in Taproot's production of Barefoot in the Park (May 2026). Photo by Giao Nguyen.)
(Mike Wu as Victor Velasco and Arjun Pande as Paul Bratter in Taproot's production of Barefoot in the Park (May 2026). Photo by Giao Nguyen.)
(Arjun Pande as Paul Bratter in Taproot's production of Barefoot in the Park (May 2026). Photo by Giao Nguyen.)
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